Triathlon
TriathlonNew Zealand
IRONMAN New Zealand
Taupō, Bay of Plenty·Date to be confirmed
The southern hemisphere's oldest IRONMAN, raced on the shores of Lake Taupō.
CyclingNew Zealand
Queenstown Bike Festival
Queenstown, Otago·Date to be confirmed·Multiple — road, gravel and MTB events across the week
Col de Sud is an independent coaching and information platform. Event details may change. Always confirm dates, entry requirements and course information with the official event organiser.
Quick Information
At a glance.
Location
📍 Queenstown, Otago, New Zealand
Usually Held
🗓 March
2026 Event Date
Date to be confirmed
Distances
Multiple — road, gravel and MTB events across the week
Course Type
Road / Gravel / MTB
Difficulty
Intermediate
Entries
Opening Soon
Official Website
Last Updated
November 2025
Countdown
Race date to be confirmed
Preparing for this event?
Recommended plan: Cycling Adventure Build.
- ✔Destination cycling week
- ✔Multi-discipline riders
- ✔Alpine gran fondo
Overview
The event.
The Queenstown Bike Festival is a 10-day celebration of every discipline of cycling. Held each March, it brings together road grand fondos, gravel adventures, cross-country and enduro MTB events, family rides and social ride-outs across Queenstown's alpine backyard. With everything from the Motatapu MTB epic to the Wakatipu Gran Fondo, the festival is designed to be dipped into — pick your event, or ride a full week.
Southern Alps in full autumn colour, café ride-outs, bike expos, and evening events across Queenstown.
Who it suitsCyclists of all types wanting a destination cycling holiday and one or more goal events.
Distances
Multiple — road, gravel and MTB events across the week
Course Breakdown
The route.
- Distance
- Varies by event
- Elevation
- Varies by event
- Surface
- Sealed road, gravel, singletrack — full spectrum
- Major climbs
- Coronet Peak, Crown Range, Skippers Canyon depending on event
- Feed zones
- Per event
- Technical sections
- Alpine descents, gravel corners, MTB technical trails
Difficulty Snapshot
Col de Sud assessment.
Endurance
Climbing
Technical
Weather exposure
Beginner suitability
General Col de Sud assessment — not an official event rating.
Typical Conditions
What to expect.
- Temperature
- 5–22 °C
- Humidity
- Low
- Wind
- Light–moderate
- Rain likelihood
- Possible
- Water temperature
- TBC
- Altitude
- 310 m base
How to Train
Preparing your body.
Recommended preparation
12 weeks of general endurance riding with discipline-specific weeks.
Long sessions
Long rides 3–4 hours with 1,000 m+ climbing.
Strength training
Weekly full-body strength.
Recovery
One rest day + one easy spin.
Course-specific prep
Practise the disciplines you plan to race — road, gravel or MTB.
Nutrition practice
Rehearse fuelling across the range of durations you'll ride.
Equipment testing
Bring the right bike for your chosen events; hire is available in Queenstown.
Key weekly sessions
- — Long endurance ride
- — Threshold session
- — Skills ride (gravel/MTB)
- — 1–2 easy rides
Race Weekend Guide
Plan your trip.
Travel
Queenstown Airport (ZQN) direct flights from Australia and NZ.
Accommodation
Central Queenstown, Arrowtown or Frankton all work well.
Packet collection
Event by event — check schedules at the festival hub.
Parking
Limited in central Queenstown — walk, cycle or shuttle.
Public transport
Local Orbus service or event shuttles between venues.
Weather
Autumn alpine — mornings cool, days warm, evenings cold.
What to pack
Kit for road, gravel and MTB depending on events; layers, rain jacket.
Nutrition
Book pre-race dinners early — Queenstown fills up.
Recovery
Onsen Hot Pools, lake plunges, and easy walks along Lake Wakatipu.
Local cafés
Vudu Café or Bespoke Kitchen; Chop Shop in Arrowtown.
After the race
Extend for Milford Sound, Wanaka, or Central Otago wine country.
Equipment Checklist
What to pack.
Safety
- Helmet
- ID + emergency contact
Kit
- Cycling shoes
- Rain jacket / gilet
- Gloves (full and half finger)
Nutrition
- Race nutrition (gels, bars)
- Bottles / hydration mix
Mechanical
- Spare tubes x2
- CO₂ inflator + cartridges
- Mini pump
- Multi-tool + tyre levers
Tech
- GPS computer + charger
- Front & rear lights
- Power bank
Comfort
- Chamois cream
- Sunscreen
Frequently Asked
Questions we hear.
Is the Queenstown Bike Festival one event?+
No — it is a 10-day festival with multiple road, gravel and MTB events. Pick one or several.
Is it suitable for beginners?+
Yes — the festival includes social rides and beginner-friendly events alongside serious challenges.
What bike should I bring?+
Bring the bike matching your chosen events. Hire shops in Queenstown cover road, gravel and MTB.
When is the festival?+
Every March — check the official festival website for the current 10-day window.
Where should I stay?+
Central Queenstown for the festival atmosphere, or Arrowtown for a quieter base.
Col de Sud Coaching
Train for your next mountain.
Preparing for this event? Col de Sud can help you build a realistic plan around your fitness, experience, work and family commitments.
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Last details checked: November 2025